What Are the Benefits of Foster Parenting?

Responsibilities and benefits come with choosing to become a foster parent. Ideally, people who are interested in doing this should be those who care about children and gain happiness from helping others. Generally, foster parents receive minimal financial compensation, so most benefits from foster parenting are emotional. It can be especially beneficial to individuals or couples who may consider adoption in the future.

  1. Emotional

    • Foster parents have the ability to impact a child's life forever. Foster children often need help dealing with their past experiences that may involve abuse, neglect and loss. A person considering becoming a foster parent should be prepared to deal with these types of issues and feel that making a difference in someone's life is a rewarding experience. Foster parents can help troubled children learn to feel safe around adults and connect with other people.

    Financial

    • While the primary goal of foster parenting should never be to earn money, sometimes foster parents receive minimal financial compensation. The foster care system is designed so that foster parents receive about what it costs for them to raise the child. This amount varies by individual cases and largely depends on the needs of the child. The amount received for a child with special needs will generally be more than for a healthy child. Financial reimbursement is usually meant to cover basic costs of living such as food, clothing and shelter. This support makes it easier for a parent considering foster parenting. Additionally, foster parents may check with their state agencies for imformation about grants for foster families.

    Families Considering Adoption

    • Foster parenting is especially beneficial for families that may consider adopting a child in the future. Many foster parents become interested in adopting the foster children they care for. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 54 percent of children who were adopted in 2009 were adopted by their foster parents. Adopting from the foster care system costs significantly less than adopting from a private agency. Most of the time, adopting a foster child is free or requires only minimal fees. There are a variety of subsidy programs aimed at helping foster parents who adopt. Additionally, parents who adopt from the foster care system have had the opportunity to spend time with the child in their home and therefore have a better understanding of how the child will fit into their home and lifestlye.

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